Statement of RFA President on former Cambodia journalists’ appeal

January 27, 2020

The appeal by former Radio Free Asia (RFA) journalists Yeang Sothearin and Uon Chhin to drop the reinvestigation into espionage charges laid against them was rejected by Cambodia’s Appeals Court today. The two were arrested after RFA was forced to close its Phnom Penh bureau in the fall of 2017. RFA President Bay Fang made the following statement:

“Today’s decision is a disappointment. The legal limbo that Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin have endured for more than two years still drags on, as does the threat of long prison terms. Cambodian authorities should heed what the international community is telling them: This legal process is deeply unfair and undermines the principles of free expression and respect for a free press that are enshrined in Cambodia’s constitution. The case against Chhin and Sothearin should be dismissed.”

About RFA

Washington, D.C. — Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in 9 East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from USAGM.

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The President of Radio Free Asia (RFA) provides strategic and operational direction to meet the network’s mission of providing balanced, objective news to listeners in East Asian countries where such news is unavailable.